Restyled Chery QQ Hit Showrooms with a US$6,083 Starting Price

Chery QQ, the most popular mini car in China, gained a new appearance for 2013. The restyled model, which went on sale on March 1, keeps the 2340mm wheelbase, 51kW 1.0L engine as well as affordable prices from the original, while becoming noticeably wider and more attractive in look. The four versions released, with either a 5-speed MT or AMT (automated manual transmission), are priced between 37900 and 50900 Yuan (US$6,083-8,170).

Developed as a copycat car of Daewoo Matiz (later re-branded as Chevrolet Spark), Chery QQ sold over one million units since its first release in 2004, which makes it the No.1 best-selling model from native brands. Through the restyling, which further erased traces of replication, Chery hopes to retain its leading position in the mini car market and fend off competition from the crowd that includes BYD F0, Geely Panda, Baojun Lechi, and Suzuki Alto.

The previous QQ , sometimes called QQ3, will stay in production with prices reduced to the 27,000-40,000 Yuan range.

Chery targets to sell 60,000 of the restyled QQ this year and 80,000 in 2014.